Rats and mice are, depending on whereabouts you live in the country, are either a sporadic annoyance or more of a constant (andconsiderably more serious) issue.
No matter the extent of your rodent infestation, this is definitely the article for you. Here is everything you need to know about how to get rid of rodents on your property.
How Do Rodents Enter the House?
The best way to prevent a rodent infestation in your flat, house or sprawling country mansion is to first ascertain how they could possibly be gaining entry in the first place.
Leading rodent pest control companies are exceedingly experienced in not only entirely eradicating a current rodent infestation from a residential, or commercial, dwelling, but also in assisting homeowners in preventing them from re-entering.
Common ways in which rats and mice enter a property include the following:
- Chewing an entry hole in worn, damaged or damp wooden structures
- Simply through an existing hole that the homeowner has failed to notice
- Via the weatherstripping and trim of windows and doors
- Vialectrical wiring entry points
- Through flashing in the chimney
- Through cracks in basement foundations
Why Are They Choosing Your House?
Anyone who either currently lives in London (or has done so in the past) will attest to the fact that, especially on a summer’s evening, mice and even rats are always in and around their local area and if you reside by a tube station, the chances of seeing one seem to quadruple.
However, whether you live in a rural or an urban area, there are several key elements inside your home which will attract rats and mice. For example, improperly sealed food containers, crumbs and smaller pieces of food and overflowing wheelie-bins are all tempting draws for rodents in the kitchen – as is a generally untidy and messy home.
Should you have house pets, their water bowls can also be a draw, as well as the overall warmth and cosiness of your home appealing to cold and tired rodents who are seeking shelter.
How to Detect a Rodent Infestation
Mice and rats are naturally nocturnal, so you are unlikely to see the creatures themselves through daylight hours, unless you are struggling with a large and more serious rodent infestation.
If you have cardboard boxes which have the edges and corners chewed in kitchen cabinets lower to the ground, then this is highly likely to indicate the presence of mice. Other signs of rodents inside a property include smeared lines and marks along the bottom of the skirting boards around the perimeter and mouse droppings (a more conclusive find).
How to Prevent Rodents Re-Entering
Once your rodent infestation has been dealt with by the professionals, it is then time to conduct a thorough clean of not only the room in which they were found, but also every room throughout your property.
Ensure all leftover food is immediately transferred into a sealed rubbish bin, that the floors are kept as clutter-free as possible and that your grass in the front and back garden is kep short and weed-free.
